Display devices and methods of using same



Nov. 12, 1963 K. REINER 3,110,119

DISPLAY DEVICES AND METHODS OF usmc SAME Filed Feb. 7. 1962 KENNETH flew/E1 IN VEN TOR.

Irma/E United rates ate This invention relates to labels or tags, to holders therefor, and to methods for emplacing said labels and tags in said holders. More specifically, it relates to constructions wherein a label or tag is retained protectively under a light transmitting window element in an appropriately proportioned chamber or opening; to the structures of such window elements and openings, to label or tag arrangernents for use therewith, and to the methods of utilizing such device Arrangements of the type under discussion may be used in control panels to identify circuits controlled by switches, in signal systems to identify the purpose of buzzer and bell buttons, as name plates in mailboxes and door bells, as price or brand markers in conjunction with store shelving, and in many other usages. The present invention is concerned with the details of the label holding means as mounted in an opening or receptacle in a panel, without regard to the nature of the device of which the panel is a part, since the holding means and the manner of use thereof, which are hereinafter described, are obvioush of general applicability.

Commonly, when labels or tags are retained bencatl protective window elements, the structures used are such that the window element must be removed from the chamber or compartment intended to hold the label, and then replaced after a properly prepared label has been inserted. In general, such devices are of relatively complicated and permanent structure, requiring disassembly of parts to gain access to the label retaining compartment or ledge or the use of a slidably detachable translucent or transparent glass or plastic window element. Such constructions involve either a great deal of diificulty in initial installment of a label or the danger of losing or breaking loose and/ or slidably detachable parts in shipment to the user or in the course of use in the installation of labels therein.

A further disadvantage of prior art devices of the class under discussion has been that labels or tags to be inserted therein had to be carefully pre-cut to specific size to be ideally eflective, since if undersized (with respect to the holder opening), they would not have a good appearance and might be displaced, and if too large, they might not permit reassembly of the label holder. This disadvantage is particularly evident in miniaturized constructions where labels or tags are very small, since it becomes very difiicult to properly size the labels, and it is almost impossible to handle md position even properly precut labels.

The present invention overcomes the above-stated disadvantages of prior label or tag holding apparatus, as well as providing other advantages, which will be discussed hereinafter, by providing construction and methods wherein translucent or transparent window means may be held in a raised position in the window opening of a panel, the construction being such that a label or may be slipped through or under the window element and properly positioned by the act of pushing the window means element inwardly into the window opening into its final position. Secondly, in the present invention, an arrangement is provided wherein labels or tags of area greater than that of a window element he slipped through or under the window element when said element is held in a raised position over the window opening or receptacle, and wherein the labels or tags may either be sheared to precise length by the act of pushing the window element into the opening or may be pinched tightly by said act so that precise manual tearing may be accomplished. Moreover, since the labels are sheared or pinched for tearing by opposed edges of the window, they are automatically of the precise proper length in one direction and need only be provided of proper width to give properly sized labels or tags, this obviating the prior difliculties encountered in cutting labels to proper size for such purposes and overcoming the handling and positioning problems involved in the use of pre-cut labels or tags, particularly in miniature sizes. By such means and methods the danger of losing loose pieces is obviated, and the prior difliculty and time consuming assembly arid/or disassembly procedures which were previously required are rendered unnecessary.

The proper size of a label is of extreme importance, for both aesthetic and functional reasons. Apart from the obviously better appearance of a label or tag which completely fills the label holder, there are many usages in which it is essential that the label holding window opening be completely filled in order to prevent the passage of direct light through the opening. Thus, in labels or tags mounted in panels which cover lights (and wherein light means may be used to illuminate a label or tag held in a window by shining through the window), the leakage of light past an undersized label or tag would adversely ailect both the appearance and proper functioning of the structure. 7

As mother feature of the present invention, it is notable that the window elements may be so constructed that they can be flush with the outer surface of the panel in the final assembled position to provide improved appearance and to obviate protruding edges and corners which are typical or prior label or tag holding constructions.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide novel label displaying structures of the type wherein labels are retained under protective light transmitting windows.

A further object of the present invention is to provide novel methods and apparatus her the preparation and display of labels and tags beneath light transmitting windows situated in panels, as in switches, mailboxes, bells, signals and light-control panels, etc.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide display structures wherein a captive yet movable v indow for a label or tag displaying opening is so etained initially that the label or tag may he slipped thereunder, whereupon the window element may be displaced to a final label or tag retaining position.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide display structures having a window element of a size to tightly fit within a display window opening in such a manner that a strip of material may he slid under the window element in a raised position, and a label or tag may be sheared from the strip or pinched for manual tea-ring from the strip by displacement of the window element into said opening.

Another object of the present invention is to provide display structure wherein a window element may be captively retained in a window opening so that the danger of loss or displacement during storage or shipment is obviated.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide display structure wherein a tag or label retaining window element may have a final secured position wherein its outer surface is flush with the outer surface of the panel in which it is mounted.

Another object of the present invention is the provision, in combination, of a strip of shearable or tearable material and a display structure having a window element which is adapted to shear a label or tag from the strip and to position such a label or tag as an incident to movement of the window element into an opening provided for it in the display structure.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide display structure wherein non-rectangular, irregular, or curved shapes of display signs may be retained within or under appropriately shaped window elemen Still another object of the present invention is the provision of display structures wherein non-rectangular, irregular, or curved shapes of display signs may be separated from larger sheets of such material and retained within or under appropriately shaped window elements, the separation being effected by movement of said window elements into openings or receptacles into ,dow element into said opening.

These and other objects of the present invention and the attendant advantages thereof will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like numerals have been appended to like parts throughout and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a label or tag holder according to the present invention with the window thereof in raised position, with a strip of labels or tags in position to be cut and installed;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the label or tag holder as shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the label or tag holder taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 3, showing the par-ts in their final position, with the label or tag severed from the strip and retained in the window element;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5, showing also the method of severing the label or tag from a strip of labels or tags; and

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a window element according to the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing, the preferred embodiment illustrated therein is merely exemplary of the principles and features of the present invention and is shown as mounted in a panel it? which may be either horizontal or vertical in disposition and which could be a part of any type of device or structure in which labels, tag, or signs might be used, as, for example mailboxes, door bells, signals, or switches, etc.

The panel 10 is provided with a window opening 13 for reception of a light transmitting window element, generally designated by the reference numeral 14. The window element 14 should be of a size and shape to slip,

in a tight fit, within the opening 12, and the structural details of the cooperating parts and surfaces will be described in detail hereinbelow.

be used, and odd-shaped windows and labels could be utilized for decorative or information purposes.

In the rectangular example of the drawing, the opening 12 is defined by opposed longitudinal walls 16 and and opposed side walls 18, the said walls being disposed f generally perpendicularly to the outer surface of the panel 10, and the longitudinal walls 16. If desired, the juncture of the side walls 16 with the outer surface 159 may be sharply defined to provide cutting edges, as at 29.

Window element 14 comprises a unitary piece of relatively hard light transmitting material, which may be a plastic, if desired, and has a face portion 26 of a configuration to fit into the window opening 12. The dimension transverse to the longitudinal centerline of the window element is such that the longitudinal sides 28 thereof have a tight sliding relationship with the longitudinal walls 16 of the window opening 12. Sides 2% are perpendicular to the face portion 26 of the window element 14, and the inner surface of the face portion '26 is formed perpendicular to said sides 28. If desired the perpendicular meeting of 25, 28 may be made sharp in order to provide cutting edges 3% at the lower longitudinal edges of sides 28, said cutting edges 3% cooperating with the cutting edges 2% of the window opening in a manner which will be described hereinafter.

Window element 14 may have a back panel 32 underlying the face portion said back panel being attached to the face portion at its lateral edges and other wise spaced therefrom, as shown, to provide a through passage for the insertion and retention of a tag or label between the face portion 26 and the back panel 32.

With the arrangement as previously described, a label of appropriate size may be slipped into the passage of the window element while the window element is in raised position and finally positioned by pushing the window element into its depressed final position. If it is desired to utilize the cutting or shearing technique previously discussed, an elongated strip 34 of paper or other suitable material of proper width may be slipped through the passage between face portion 26 and back panel 32, when the window element 14 is in the raised position of FIG- URES 1, 3, and 4. Then, as the window element is pushed inwardly towards the position of FIGURES 5 and 6, in which the outer surface of the window element is flush with the outer surface of the mounting panel 10, the edges 20 and 3t) cooperate to either shear the strip 34 to form a label of a proper precise size (see FIGURE 6) or to pinch the strip 49 tightly between the walls 16 and 28 so that it may readily be manually torn to leave a label of precise size, and to retain the label so formed within the window element 14. Either the shearing or pinching effect described herein may evolve from the same structure, depending upon the thickness of the strip 34 and the degree of tightness of fit of the window element 14 within the window opening 12.

Thus, either individual tags or a pre-prepared list of printed titles may be used to permit selective placement of a desired number, name, or other insignia within the window element; and retention and/or severance and placement of a proper size tag or label may be effected by the mere act of pushing the window element to its final assembled position, flush with the panel. Alternatively, of course, unprinted strips of appropriate width may be utilized and insignia, as desired, written, painted, or otherwise imprinted thereon to form labels or tags for positioning within the window element and for placement and/or placement and severance as previously'described.

It is a feature of the present invention that the window element 14 may be retained in a raised position by means which inhibit separation, after initial assembly, and that means may be provided to limitwthe inward motion of the window element as it is pushed to its final position in positioning or severing and positioning a label or tag. For this purpose cooperating structure may be provided on the lateral ends 36 of the window element 14 and on the side walls 18 which define the window opening 12 in the panel 16. Such cooperating structure may be of any desirable type, including simple tight frictional engagement of the parts. One example is shown in the drawings and comprises a recess 22 in each of the side walls 18 and lugs or hooks 38 and friction surfaces 4% in the ends 36 of the window element.

Each of the recesses 22 comprises a chamber extending laterally outwardly from the window opening 12 and at a distance below the outer surface of panel in to provide a stepped structure having an overhang or flange which provides a stop shoulder as at 23. At an appropriately selected distance below the stop shoulder 23, ledges or lugs 24 may be provided to extend inwardly toward the window opening to serve as motion limiting stops in a manner to be described hereinafter.

The lateral ends 36 of window element-14 may each be in the form of a lug or book 38 extending laterally outwardly beyond the ends 36 and having friction surfaces 40 of such lateral extension as to frictionally slide between the side walls 18 of the window opening 12. The top edge of window element 14 may be of such lateral extent as to provide clearance, as at 42, and may be undercut as at 44, so that a thin tool or finger nail may be inserted to lift the window element 14 so that it may be raised for removal and replacement of a label or tag in the window element.

In use, a window element 14 is initially inserted into a window opening 12 by pinching the side walls or ends 36 thereof towards one another to reduce the distance between the lugs 33 so that said lugs can be introduced into the window opening and inserted beneath stop shoulder 23 in the recess 22 and thus held in the position shown in FIGURES 1, 3, and 4 by the frictional engagement of friction surfaces 40 with side walls 18, as shown. The assembly may be stored, shipped, and installed with the window element held in this raised position.

Labels or tags may be installed, with the desired title, name or other insignia within the window, the manners previously described. It is noteworthy that the inward motion of the window element 14 is limited by lugs or ledges 24, which are located such a distance from the outer surface of panel that the outer surface of face portion 26 of the window element is substantially flush with the outer surface of panel 19 in the full down position of the window element.

From the above illustrated and described examples it may be seen that the present invention provides new and improved label and tag holder constructions; improved methods and means for the preparation and emplacement of labels or tags within or under the window elements of such label and tag holders; and novel strip label or tag means for use therewith. It is also apparent that the present invention provides improved label and tag holders of the type wherein a window element covers and protects the label or tag and wherein there is no danger of loss or misplacement of any of the parts.

Obviously, many modifications and variations in materials and configuration other than those of the exemplary illustration are possible in each of the various aspects of the present invention, within the bounds of the spirit of this specification. Thus, the specific configuration of the window element need not be rectangular but may obviously be of odd shapes. The cutting or pinching function of the window element may be accomplished in arrangements which do not include the means for retaining the window element and holding it in raised position during shipment or storage. Similarly, the specific nature of the means for holding the window element against separation, for holding it in a raised position, for limiting its inward movement are all obviously capable of being varied in form and of being each used in the absence of the other. It is further pointed out that the window element could be formed without a panel for backing up the label and that the back up function could be performed by structure in the panel which might or might not also perform the function of limiting inward move- 'ment of the window element.

-11: should also be obvious that the window element and panel, as well as the nature of the cutting edges thereof, are capable of a wide range of variation within the spirit of the prevent invention. Thus, the window element could be of glass or plastic material, or could comprise a metallic frame with or without a transparent center portion. If cutting edges are desired the material could be formed with thin sharp edges or serrations for cutting, if desired.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited by the specific exemplary embodiment illustrated and described herein but rather by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A display device comprising a panel having a window opening therein and a window element of a size and shape to fit within the walls defining said opening; said element having edge portions adapted to frictionally engage the adjacent walls of the opening, said edge portions extending into said opening and being adapted to hold the element in a raised position relative to said opening whereby label material may be slid under the element between Said edge portions when the element is in said raised position and placed in final display position by the act of pushing said element into said opening.

2. A display device according to claim 1, further characterized in that said element and said opening have cooperating cutting edges whereby said label may be of greater area than that of the element and cut to size and positioned by said movement of the element into the opening.

3. A display device according to claim 1, further characterized in that said opening and said element have cooperating means to limit the degree of inward motion of the element into the opening to provide a predetermined relative disposition of the outer surfaces of said panel and of said element to one another.

4. A display device according to claim 1, having backing means spaced from the outer faw of said element to support a label inserted between said backing means and said outer face.

5. A display device according to claim 4, wherein said backing means is an integral portion of said element and comprises a web spaced from said outer face and connected at its ends to said first-mentioned means to provide a slit through which said label may be inserted in said raised position of the window element.

6. In a display device, a panel having a window opening therein, a light transmitting window element of a size and shape to be contained within said opening, said window element having a slit therein adapted to receive and hold a sheet of printed material in flat aligned relationship, and said window element being movable from a position wherein said slit is exposed above the face of said panel to a position wherein the edges of said slit are closed within said panel.

7. In combination, a label holder and a strip of material from which labels may be formed; said label holder comprising a panel having a window opening and a window element of a size and shape to fit within said opening, said element having edge portions adapted to extend into and to fit tightly within the opening; said'strip being of a width to fit entirely within the lateral confines of said element and of over-all area greater than that of said element whereby to extend beyond said edge portions when said strip is inserted under said element, whereby said strip may be inserted over said opening and under element when the element is in a position raised above said opening and whereby a portion of the strip may be retained under said element when the element is pushed into said opening.

8. in combination, a label holder and a strip of materifl from which labels may be formed; said label holder comprising a panel having a window opening and a window element of a size and shape to be contained within said opening, said element having at least two opposed side flanges adapted to extend into said opening and to frictionally engage the sides of said opening; said strip being of a width to fit between said flanges and of an area v greater than that of said element, whereby said strip may be inserted over said opening and under said element when the element is in a position raised above said opening with the side flanges engaged in the opening and whereby a portion of the strip may be retained under said element when the element is pushed into said opening.

9. The combination of claim 8, further characterized in that the edges of the sides of said opening are formed by sharply perpendicular surfaces at the outer surface of said panel to provide cutting edges and in that the bottom edges of said element extending between said flanges are formed by sharply perpendicular surfaces to provide cutting edges, whereby movement of the element from a raised position downwardly into the opening is efiective to shear said portion from said strip.

10. The combination of claim 8, further characterized in that the edges defining said opening and the element are each provided with cutting edges at mating opposed edges thereof, said cutting edges cooperating to shear a label from 'said strip when the element is pushed into said opening.

'11. The combination of claim 8, further characterized in that the edges defining said opening and said element have cooperating means to limit the inward motion of the element into the opening to provide a predetermined relative disposition of the outer surfaces of said panel and of said element to one another.

12. The combination of claim 11, further characterized in that the edges defining said opening and said eleinent have cooperating means to inhibit removal of the element from the opening.

13. A display device comprising a panel having a window openin' therein, and a window element adapted to be received in said opening; said opening being defined by opposed longitudinal walls and opposed side walls comprised of the material of said panel, said opposed longitudinal walls being sharply perpendicular to the outer surface of said panel to provide sharp edges, said element being of planforrn configuration similar to that of said window opening and having a thickness such that the longitudinal edges of the Window element are a tight sliding fit with the longitudinal walls defining the window' References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,763,674 Ross June 17, 1930 2,545,262 Coleman Mar. 13, 1951 2,572,735 Kugel Oct. 23, 1951 2,599,311 Anderson June 3, 1952 2,680,315 McHugh June 8, 1954' 2,749,634 Billet et al. June 12, 1956 

1.A DISPLAY DEVICE COMPRISING A PANEL HAVING A WINDOW OPENING THEREIN AND A WINDOW ELEMENT OF A SIZE AND SHAPE TO FIT WITHIN THE WALLS DEFINING SAID OPENING; SAID ELEMENT HAVING EDGE PORTIONS ADAPTED TO FRICTIONALLY ENGAGE THE ADJACENT WALLS OF THE OPENING, SAID EDGE PORTIONS EXTENDING INTO SAID OPENING AND BEING ADAPTED TO HOLD THE ELEMENT IN ARAISED POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID OPENING WHEREBY LABEL MATERIAL MAY BE SLID UNDER THE ELEMENT BETWEEN SAID EDGE PORTIONS WHEN THE ELEMENT IS IN SAID RAISED POSITION AND PLACED IN FINAL DISPLAY POSITION BY THE ACT OF PUSHING SAID ELEMENT INTO SAID OPENING. 